Product Design - BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate

Applications Open: 3 November 2025 at 9.00am

Applications Close: 31 January 2026 at 5.00pm

Entry Requirements: At least five GCSE's at grade 4 or above. In addition, you will need to achieve specific subject entry requirements for all subjects.

How to Apply - September 2026 entry

Applications will open on Applicaa on 3 November 2025. Please refer to our Course Guide which lists subjects available along with entry criteria - this can be found on our website under Sixth Form Admissions along with our Admissions Policy. Please note our Course Guide for 2025 entry is currently displayed, Course Guide for 2026 will be available shortly.

If you need advice on Sixth Form courses or completing an application, please email sixthformadmissions@sgschool.org.uk or phone 01892 527444.

When applying students MUST enter three subject choices PLUS a reserve - in preference order - one being first choice and four being the reserve.
Please do not enter a fifth choice. Please note some subjects cannot be studied together - these are indicated on the relevant subject page and also in the Course Guide.

Internal Applicants to Sixth Form (current St Gregory’s students)

Our current students will join a Sixth Form Taster Day in September 2025, this is an opportunity to experience Sixth Form subjects and lessons.

All students will receive ongoing support and guidance with the online application process through discussions with dedicated members of staff, subject leaders and members of the Sixth Form team. Students will also receive a session with an external Careers Advisor.

External Applicants to Sixth Form

External applicants will be required to submit their applications via Applicaa using the link provided on the school website on 3 November 2026.

External applicants will also need to complete a Sixth Form Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if they are Catholic or 'Looked After' children. This can be found on the school website under Learn/Sixth Form/Sixth Form Admissions - Supplementary Information Form 2025-26. This must be returned to sixthformadmissions@sgschool.org.uk by the closing date.

Prospective students may be invited into school for a meeting with the Sixth Form team.

This qualification gives a coherent introduction to the study of Art and Design within a Product Design context. The qualification is designed to give learners a technical understanding of 3D design and crafts, where they develop knowledge in 3D materials, techniques and processes through vocational projects.

Unit 4 is an optional unit that complements the subject and gives breadth to their practice. Learners develop an understanding of the importance and influence of the work of artists and designers to develop and realise their creative intentions and as well as practical outcomes, they also produce a portfolio of their design work.

This qualification is for post-16 learners intending to gain employment in the Design sector, after further study in higher education. It leads ultimately to employment in the creative industries.

Independent study commitment:

Five hours per week minimum

Why study Product Design?

From the top 10 UK HE Design courses an average of 65% of graduates were in their chosen career within six months of graduating. Jobs include: product designer, interior and spatial designer, exhibition designer, clothing/textile technologist, graphic designer and many more.

Where can it lead?

Courses leading from Product Design include: Product/Industrial Design, Art & Design, Animation/Coding/Games, Apprenticeships in CAD, Architecture/ Interior Design, Fashion/Textiles, Film/ TV, Graphic Design, Marketing, Media/ Journalism.

What does it combine well with? Art, Mathematics, Physics, Information Technology, Digital Media, Photography, Business Studies and Languages.